I'll have a preview story in the paper tomorrow about the Minnesota game, but as promised by Zach in a previous post, I'll give you an update on the Minnesota game with some other news and notes from practice today.
Minnesota is a good team and it should be a good test for IU. The Golden Gophers are 13-5 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten (good for 2nd place). This should be a good test for the Hoosiers at home.
Minnesota has two big time scorers in Emily Fox and Leslie Knight. Fox averages 17.6 points per game and Knight averages 12.1. The two provide a solid inside-outside combination that will be tough for the Hoosiers to guard. Coach Jack said slowing down Fox and Knight will be key for the Hoosiers.
Coach Jack said Jori Davis will be out for the Minnesota game and probably for another two weeks with a foot injury. She said it's a stress-induced injury so it is hard to know when Davis will be back, but she'll be evaluated again in a couple weeks.
Nikki Smith returned to the starting lineup against Purdue on Monday night and Coach Jack said she will start again against Minnesota. However, she said there is no guarantee that Smith, or any of the other starters for that matter, will start every game. She said she determines starters on a game by game basis based on who is performing at a high level in practice. Coach Jack said lately she has been impressed with Smith's effort in practice.
Should be a great game on Thursday night and I'd love to hear any of your thoughts. Can the Hoosiers get another Big Ten win? What do you see as the keys to the game?
